lou_mac's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I love a book which weaves two stories together so in lots of ways, this one suited me well. i really liked the plots but didn't connect particularly to any of the characters which is why this doesn't score higher
kaz_in_books's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kindle_and_crossstitch's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐️
Took me a while to read as I really struggled to get into it, lots of jumping around and hard to differentiate between the characters. I’d give the first 1/2 2 stars. But once I hit halfway I started to enjoy it and flew through the rest, so that would be a 4.5.
Took me a while to read as I really struggled to get into it, lots of jumping around and hard to differentiate between the characters. I’d give the first 1/2 2 stars. But once I hit halfway I started to enjoy it and flew through the rest, so that would be a 4.5.
mamaanderson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
eviemb14's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rowanrelph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chelskiig's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
agirlsnightbookbash's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book in the August 2020 Once Upon a Book Club Box. I had never tried the subscription so I did not know what to expect. With this book at least, they nailed it.
The story shifts perspectives between three characters and jumps between periods. The transfer between characters is well done and you find yourself wanting to get back to another characters story only to be sucked back into the next one. Beginning in the Summer of 1971 and bouncing forward to 2019 this book handles family crisis between centuries.
The book opens describing a dead body and a found baby and what follows is a wild ride of what, who, and how. The perspectives belong to Rita, a young nanny, and Hera Harrington, her 12 year old charge in the 70's and Sylvie in modern day London. The voices of the characters are unique in their individuality.
I loved this book. I have a thing for nanny and au pair stories, especially when there is trouble afoot. The characters in this story are all well developed and interesting. You can picture yourself in the woods outside the manor having a picnic. You become invested in the mysteries that surround the Harrington family and their employees. Who is the dead body? Where did it come from? Who is responsible? I loved all the questions and even when I figured something out to soon I was still enthralled by the characters and the environment.
Eve Chase will be an author I look out for in the future.
The story shifts perspectives between three characters and jumps between periods. The transfer between characters is well done and you find yourself wanting to get back to another characters story only to be sucked back into the next one. Beginning in the Summer of 1971 and bouncing forward to 2019 this book handles family crisis between centuries.
The book opens describing a dead body and a found baby and what follows is a wild ride of what, who, and how. The perspectives belong to Rita, a young nanny, and Hera Harrington, her 12 year old charge in the 70's and Sylvie in modern day London. The voices of the characters are unique in their individuality.
I loved this book. I have a thing for nanny and au pair stories, especially when there is trouble afoot. The characters in this story are all well developed and interesting. You can picture yourself in the woods outside the manor having a picnic. You become invested in the mysteries that surround the Harrington family and their employees. Who is the dead body? Where did it come from? Who is responsible? I loved all the questions and even when I figured something out to soon I was still enthralled by the characters and the environment.
Eve Chase will be an author I look out for in the future.
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
1971 and Rita (known as 'Big Rita') is a nanny to a family in London. After the death of a baby and a house fire, the mother is institutionalised and on her release the family (minus the father) decamps to a remote house in the Forest of Dean. There, they find an abandoned baby but tragedy splits the family. Present day, Rita's daughter Sylvie is coping with the breakdown of her marriage, her mother's accident and shocking news from her teenage daughter.
I really enjoyed this story up to the final few chapters. The sense of claustrophobia at Foxcote Manor is beautifully imagined and the story has a magical feel. The sections about Sylvie are more prosaic but still good. My problem lies with the neatness of the ending - it's too convenient and yet leaves lots of questions about gaps in the narrative. This is carping because actually the first 85% is really good!
I really enjoyed this story up to the final few chapters. The sense of claustrophobia at Foxcote Manor is beautifully imagined and the story has a magical feel. The sections about Sylvie are more prosaic but still good. My problem lies with the neatness of the ending - it's too convenient and yet leaves lots of questions about gaps in the narrative. This is carping because actually the first 85% is really good!